Romans 6:4 ( posted 9-3-13 )

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. “

Let's continue.

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: “

As I said in my last study, Paul is not referring to water baptism. This is a baptism done by the Holy Spirit. While a born again believer in Jesus Christ should follow Jesus in physical water baptism as a public declaration of our faith in Jesus since He also was baptized physically, we need to remember that water baptism does not save us.

Paul clearly said we are saved by grace through faith;

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast. “ Ephesians 2:8-9

And yes my friend, Paul did say explicitly;

“Not of works, lest any man should boast. “

I know people personally who boast, gloat and revel in high exultation when they tell me they have done the work of being baptized in water and have the certified document to prove it. Unfortunately, most the population of religious human beings on this planet think their baptismal certified document is what will get them to Heaven...not to mention most people think they are not such a bad person after all and that too will get them into Heaven.

If water baptism was necessary to be saved, then Jesus lied to the criminal who was hanging on a cross, close to death and absolutely had no chance to be baptized in water.

Contrary to religious myth, Jesus saved the criminal in response to his faith and promised the criminal he would be with Him that same day after physical death.

“And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.“ Luke 23:39-43

The criminal repented and put his faith in Jesus, which is all that is required to be saved.

The Eunuch that Philip led to Jesus believed and was saved before Philip baptized him in water.

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. “ Acts 8:35-39

Notice it was the Eunuch that requested to be baptized. Philip did not require him to be baptized because Philip knew the Eunuch was already saved by grace through his faith.

“that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. “

The Greek word “ peripatesomen “ translated “ should walk “ grammatically means might walk, to tread all around, follow, walk at large, be occupied with, to deport oneself ( which according to Webster means - “ to behave or conduct oneself in a specified way " ).

This is not a forced manufactured condition but rather a suggested hope that one who comes to believe in Jesus and is made a new creation will choose to walk uprightly, repent of our former sinful lifestyle and walk in the Light as Jesus is in the Light.

Even being born again, we still have the choice whether to live as we did before we repented or forsake that old lifestyle and live like Jesus.

The Greek word “ kainoteti “ translated “ newness “ means renewal and just as it is translated, newness.

It is a new person, creation, that we have the choice to put on and live in... or not.

Paul said;

“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. “ Ephesians 4:21

“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: “ Colossians 3:10

Both natures exist – that is, the old man and the new.

Paul said;

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; “ Ephesians 4:22

“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; “ Colossians 3:9

We can choose which lifestyle to live in.

Remember Demas who forsook Paul and left him, having went back into the world.